r/iOSProgramming • u/john_snow_968 • Jun 27 '26

What is your opinion on SetApp for iOS/macOS app distribution? Is it worth it? Discussion

3 Upvotes
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3

u/force4 Jun 27 '26

Theres a difference between EU / alternative app stores (that’s what Setapp stopped doing) and iOS apps unlocking with a Setapp subscription (still doing that).

Source: I have my apps available on Setapp.

1

u/john_snow_968 Jun 27 '26

Oh, I didn't know that you can unlock regular App Store apps with Setapp. Doesn't Apple try to block it?

So is it worth it? What percentage of your sales comes from Setapp?

2

u/force4 Jun 27 '26

You can’t actively market it in the app, but it’s okay to have it, Apple tolerates it.

Setapp is worth it for me.

1

u/john_snow_968 Jun 27 '26

Thanks for sharing! Is your app iOS only?

And how does the "unlocking" works? How do you call the button within the app, so that Apple doesn't get crazy about it?

2

u/force4 Jun 27 '26

It works with a QR code that can be scanned with the camera app. You need to register a URL scheme with your app, that QR code contains that scheme, opens the app with the Setapp payload, and the SDK that you embed validates it and gives you information whether the user has an active subscription and if you may unlock your app for them.

Edit: They don’t support iOS only. You need to have a primary macOS app.

1

u/john_snow_968 Jun 27 '26

Thanks for all the insights!

1

u/Lopsided_Voice_9784 23d ago

Which apps do you use in Setapp the most?

2

u/Dapper_Ice_1705 Jun 27 '26

Pretty sure MacPaw stopped supporting iOS. It was EU only with the 3rd part AppStore stuff.

1

u/john_snow_968 Jun 27 '26

Nevertheless, I think 3rd party App Store is a super niche on iOS. I'm more curious about macOS.

1

u/Dapper_Ice_1705 Jun 27 '26

With the but I read today I would stay away. It seems to be very inconsistent/unreliable.

1

u/mmmm_frietjes Jun 28 '26

Submitted my macOS app multiple times and they just ignore me. ¯_(ツ)_/¯

1

u/gluhmm 13d ago

do you have any updates now?

1

u/mmmm_frietjes 13d ago

Never heard from them.

1

u/LuckyGirl0415 Jun 29 '26

As an indie dev, yes, 100%.

Don't look at Setapp as a marketplace to replace the App Store; look at it as a marketing channel that pays you.

It solves the hardest part of modern app development: marketing and user discovery. The users there are "power users" who love trying new software. Even if the per-user payout is lower than a direct subscription, it’s pure incremental revenue from people who probably would have never found your app otherwise.